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the felt I have is rated sae grade F1, which had the highest density and hardness rating I could find. If you search the forum I believe you will find some posts from Dave Martell discussing felt. He sourced some and had it available for sale through his site (japaneseknifesharpeningstore.com) but no longer offers it. I recall it being hard to source or not readily/commonly available. The F1 grade stuff is flexible and cloth-like. From what I gather, the stuff Dave offered is sold as rock hard felt sheets. If you search the web I think you will see it is expensive and typically offered in large dimensions and not in 1/8" thickness. Dave indicates that the hard stuff worked much better for stropping. Marko (tsourkanknives.com) I believe offers a similar grade felt which you can buy mounted or magnetic backed for use with a base such as a DMT diamond plate.

You might want to check out this thread for Marko's felt strops. Not sure if he has any in stock, or if/when he might make some more, but I'd suggest sending him a quick message if you're interested. I have one in walnut--it is very nicely made--it works well, and looks quite nice, too.

the felt I have is rated sae grade F1, which had the highest density and hardness rating I could find. If you search the forum I believe you will find some posts from Dave Martell discussing felt. He sourced some and had it available for sale through his site (japaneseknifesharpeningstore.com) but no longer offers it. I recall it being hard to source or not readily/commonly available. The F1 grade stuff is flexible and cloth-like. From what I gather, the stuff Dave offered is sold as rock hard felt sheets. If you search the web I think you will see it is expensive and typically offered in large dimensions and not in 1/8" thickness. Dave indicates that the hard stuff worked much better for stropping. Marko (tsourkanknives.com) I believe offers a similar grade felt which you can buy mounted or magnetic backed for use with a base such as a DMT diamond plate.

Was lurking here and had to register and respond.

Anytime I'm in need of miscellaneous anything, I always check McMaster-Carr. Sure as **** they have F1 grade felt. Two inch wide, 1/8" thick is $2.49 per linear foot. 12"X12"X1/8" adhesive backed is less than $16.

Talking to the "expert" Phil, 1/8" F1 felt is 2lb/sq.yd., but they have 2 heavier grades that go 4-4.75lb/yd but which they refer to as 26 and 38 pound. Phil told me they sell their f1 grade to a company that makes barber strops. Didn't ask what the minimum order is (probably not too much for the 26lb, but the 38lb would be a special order at this time and my have a bigger minimum), but maybe Dave and some others here would be interested in looking into it.

I got a felt strop from dave and that stuff is scary good. I dont bother with compounds or anything, the strop is great on its own as a final step once you finish sharpening.

Labor, I've been sharpening my knives with natural and synthetic stones, and after a few months I am also ready to incorporate a strop. My question for you and the other experienced members on this site is: Do you think it's better to learn on a leather strop and then move to felt? Or is there that much of a difference in learning with either one?

I've found that as I progress in sharpening, I have an increased need (compulsion?) to finish the edge as sharp and as polished as possible. This thread has really provided a ton of info for this newbie, thanks for sharing!

The basic strop technique is the same, whether it's felt, leather, cardboard, newspaper or stone itself. The material of choice is something personal. I use HA leather and DIY balsa strops no compounds. I am tinkling on getting some diamond spray perhaps.

Strops etc.

I have experimented with various stropping compounds and substrates and continue to do so. One thing I have found about CrO is it tends to polish quite quickly, thus the risk of giving you a skating edge - over polished. I would look into some other mediums like diamond or possibly CBN if you wish to refine your edge past your finest stone. By the way, what is your finest stone? (Forgive me if you've already said). Also, what knife(s) is this for?